Silver Royd hosts great day for sport

Martin Dowey

Scarborough sport was the winner on Saturday afternoon when Silver Royd hosted a great day at their multi-million pound venue.

Not only did the usual cricketing action take place on Scarborough RUFC’s lower pitches, but there was also a feast of football for the first time on Silver Royd’s main turf.

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Scarborough Athletic Reserves kicked off the day with a 2-2 draw against an ex-Hull City line-up, and that was followed by the main event - Boro’s 3-2 win against a Scarborough & District Saturday League XI.

Boro may not have had it all their way on the afternoon, but boss Rudy Funk was still a happy man.

“All you have to do is look at how many people turned out and how many young kids there were,” said Funk.

“I thought it was a great day for everyone involved and hopefully it is something we can do on a regular basis.”

“It was a pleasure to meet some of the big hitters from the town and also to meet Graeme Young and Graeme Jeffrey from the rugby club.

“I would like to thank everyone from the rugby club for hosting what has been a great event on their fantastic facilities.”

Funk was also impressed with his opponents on the day, who were unlucky not to snatch at least a draw.

He added: “You have to give the Scarborough League side plenty of credit. They are decent footballers, they created some good chances and they scored two excellent goals.

“I think we lacked our finishing touch, but it was another pre-season game under our belts.

“We have come along way since our first training session. Things are getting better and better and now we are looking at how we are going to shape up for our first game against Kidsgrove.

“You can’t judge the game too much on the footballing side of things because pre-season is pre-season. We are careful about how we go into matches, how we go into challenges and how we conduct ourselves.

“At times I didn’t like it because It wasn’t a full-blooded encounter. But that is pre-season, it is all about getting your fitness.”

The Saturday Leagueboss Alec Coulson added: “It was a great effort from the local lads, we are all really pleased.

“We played a friendly just over a week ago and we lost 4-1 so we did fear the worst. It was all about trying to give a good showing and I think we did that.

“For us I thought Steve Sheader was a rock and Gary Thomas also did well further up the park.

“In the end I think the ref cost us because their player clearly dived for the penalty and they also scored from a free-kick that wasn’t a free-kick.

“They were all soft goals, but that is the way it goes.”

The game got away to a slow start in the searing heat, but Boro managed to edge themselves in front. Tyler Collishaw worked some space on the right and whipped in a low shot. Saturday League keeper Martin Cappleman misjudged the effort and allowed it to creep into his bottom corner.

It looked as though the calculators would be needed when Cappleman made a double save from Gary Bradshaw to make up for his error and Steve Ridley sent a dipping volley just over - but that wasn’t the case.

The attendance of 548 saw the Saturday League side come charging back just after the break, when sub Neil Fryirs floated home a delightful free-kick to level up.

Ridley was denied once again at the other end when Cappleman tipped away his effort, only for the former North Ferriby man to step up and curl in a free-kick, making it 2-1.

Former Scarborough Town man Jamie Bradshaw then arrived from the bench to dink home the Saturday League’s second leveller, before a trace of controversy struck.

Pete Davidson waltzed his way into the area, before tumbling to the ground under challenge. Ref Ollie O’Brien pointed to the spot much to the frustration of the Saturday League players and Gary Bradshaw cooly slotted in.

Coulson’s men almost restored parity in the very last minute when Thomas cut through and fired at goal, but Jason White brilliantly palmed the ball to safety and Boro hung on for the win.